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January 17, 2019 @ 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:
Karen Savage, P.Eng., FEC, Horizon Engineering Inc.
Diane Meehan, EIT, Horizon Engineering Inc.
James Higgins, AScT, RDH Building Science Inc.
Karen Savage, P.Eng., FEC
Karen is the founding principal of Horizon Engineering, is the BC/Yukon delegate to the Engineers Canada Qualification Board, Chair of EGBC Professional Practice Committee (2016-present), and has served as an EGBC Councillor and ACEC Board Member. She has 30+ years of experience practising in geotechnical engineering and thinking about how water moves through soil, and has provided consulting engineering services on dozens of drainage remediation projects where post-construction remediation of poorly functioning drainage systems was required. She is co-authoring the guideline, A Builder’s Guide to Site and Foundation Drainage – Best Practices for Part 9 Buildings, to be published by BC Housing. She has previously co-authored the guideline, Housing Foundations and Geotechnical Challenges: Best Practices for Residential Builders in British Columbia, published by BC Housing in 2015.
Diane Meehan, EIT
Diane has been with Horizon Engineering since she graduated 3 years ago. She has gained experience in geotechnical engineering including stormwater management design, surface and sub-surface drainage considerations, drainage remediation, soil gas management, excavation shoring, foundation design, field investigation, laboratory testing, and field reviews during construction. She is co-authoring the guideline, A Builder’s Guide to Site and Foundation Drainage – Best Practices for Part 9 Buildings, to be published by BC Housing’s Homeowners’ Protection Office.
James Higgins, AScT
James Higgins, AScT, is a Building Science Technologist with RDH Building Science Inc. in Burnaby BC. James’ focus at RDH is building science research and investigation work. His work includes forensic investigations, building monitoring, thermal modelling, field review and testing services for new construction and existing buildings, and building enclosure design.
James combines his theoretical expertise with a practical approach to solving complex design and construction problems. As a leading member of RDH’s Building Science Labs team in Vancouver, James regularly works with product manufacturers, government organizations, and industry bodies on product and assembly development and testing as well as industry education and reference materials. James has helped to produce several of BC Housings illustrated guides, included the forthcoming Builder’s Guide to Site and Foundation Drainage.
ABOUT THE TOPIC: Building Smart with Site and Foundation Drainage
Building Smart with Site and Foundation Drainage Foundation drainage problems and moisture accumulation can have various consequences, ranging from being a minor nuisance to resulting in serious structural damage and/or health issues. The causes of such moisture can be difficult to diagnose, and challenging and expensive to remediate due to access limitations and the invasive nature of some repairs. However, many of these problems can be prevented by incorporating best practices into the original design, construction and site grading of the building.
As the availability and quality of developable land decreases, and land values increase, there is a trend towards maximizing the habitable square footage of new developments, including more (and deeper) finished basements. This, in combination with ongoing climate change and a resulting increase of intense storm events, means that proper drainage for below-grade spaces is becoming more important to protect the investments of owners.
Focusing on below-grade building structures, this presentation will review best practices for site and foundation drainage systems, including materials, construction details and methodologies, and overall site considerations, and will highlight some key BC Building Code requirements. This presentation will also review case studies of common issues with site and foundation drainage systems in the Lower Mainland.
Seminar Presentation:
| Building Smart with Site and Foundation Drainage | Karen Savage, Horizon Engineering Inc. Diane Meehan, Horizon Engineering Inc. James Higgins, RDH Building Science Inc. |
January 2019 |  |
| Site and Foundation Drainage Guide 2017 (Draft) | Karen Savage, Horizon Engineering Inc. Diane Meehan, Horizon Engineering Inc. James Higgins, RDH Building Science Inc. |
January 2019 | |
| Housing Foundations Geotechnical Challenges | Karen Savage, Horizon Engineering Inc. Diane Meehan, Horizon Engineering Inc. James Higgins, RDH Building Science Inc. |
January 2019 | |